How countries have reacted to Bolivia’s president stepping down

The resignation of Bolivian president Evo Morales was met with varied reactions from countries in the surrounding region.

Morales stepped down Sunday under increasing pressure from anti-government demonstrations as well as the military.

The 60-year-old socialist leader faced the biggest crisis of his nearly 14 years as president after winning a fourth term in October. Ensuing protests left three people dead.

Morales was first elected in 2006, making him the first indigenous president of Bolivia. His election to the post was part of a left-wing surge in the region.

Earlier Sunday, Morales had agreed to holding a new election after a report by the Organization of American States said it found irregularities in last month’s election.

But the country’s military chief still asked him to step down.

Mexico

Mexico has offered asylum to Morales. Mexico’s foreign minister tweeted that the country would offer asylum to Morales if requested. He also tweeted that there must be “no coup.”

México,de conformidad a su tradición de asilo y no intervención, ha recibido a 20 personalidades del ejecutivo y legislativo de Bolivia en la residencia oficial en La Paz, de así decidirlo ofrceríamos asilo también a Evo Morales.

— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) November 10, 2019

Mexico’s president Manual Lopez Obrador tweeted that his country recognizes the “responsible attitude” shown by Morales as he “preferred to resign rather than to expose his people to violence.”

Por lo pronto, ya que mañana daremos a conocer con amplitud nuestra postura, reconocemos la actitud responsable del presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, quien prefirió renunciar a exponer a su pueblo a la violencia.

— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) November 10, 2019

Venezuela

Venezuela has condemned what it terms a “coup” in Bolivia, with President Nicolas Maduro calling for allies around the world to “mobilize” and protect Morales.

“We categorically condemn the coup realized against our brother president,” Maduro tweeted.

Condenamos categóricamente el golpe de Estado consumado contra el hermano presidente @evoespueblo. Los movimientos sociales y políticos del mundo nos declaramos en movilización para exigir la preservación de la vida de los pueblos originarios bolivianos víctimas del racismo. pic.twitter.com/c6JGrNBFGo

— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) November 10, 2019

Morales is viewed as a leftist ally for Venezuela, whose former president Hugo Chavez was an occasional mentor to the now-resigned Bolivian president.

Venezuela has been embroiled in a long-running crisis of its own, with Maduro hanging on to power despite an opposition campaign to convince the armed forces to rebel.

Peru

Shortly after Morales stepped down, the Peruvian government issued a statement calling for the restoration of a “peaceful existence” in Bolivia and for transparent elections aided by the Organization of American States.

Argentina

Argentina’s president-elect Alberto Fernandez declared Morales’ resignation was the result of a “coup.”

“The institutional breakdown in Bolivia is unacceptable. The Bolivian people must choose as soon as possible, in free and informed elections, their next government,” Fernandez wrote on Twitter.

En Bolivia se ha consumado un golpe de Estado producto del accionar conjunto de civiles violentos, el personal policial autoacuartelado y la pasividad del ejército. Es un golpe perpetrado contra el presidente @evoespueblo, que había convocado a un nuevo proceso electoral.

— Alberto Fernández (@alferdez) November 10, 2019

Cuba

The president of Cuba — Miguel Díaz-Canel — tweeted Cuba’s “strong condemnation” of what he also termed a “coup” against Morales.

La derecha con violento y cobarde golpe de estado atenta contra la democracia en #Bolivia. Nuestra enérgica condena al golpe de estado y nuestra solidaridad con el hermano Pdte @evoespueblo. El mundo se debe movilizar por la vida y la libertad de Evo. #EvoNoEstasSolo #SomosCuba pic.twitter.com/dPvZ8zQqJA

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) November 10, 2019

Brazil

The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, took to Twitter to share his reaction to Morales’ resignation.

“Denunciations of election fraud resulted in the resignation of President Evo Morales,” he tweeted. “The lesson for us is the need, in the name of democracy and transparency, to count votes that can be audited. The VOTE is a sign of clarity for Brazil!”

Denúncias de fraudes nas eleições culminaram na renúncia do Presidente Evo Morales. A lição que fica para nós é a necessidade, em nome da democracia e transparência, contagem de votos que possam ser auditados. O VOTO IMPRESSO é sinal de clareza para o Brasil! pic.twitter.com/MlmebgqjGQ

— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) November 10, 2019

Nicaragua 

In a statement issued Sunday, the government of Nicaragua — headed by leftist President Daniel Ortega — also called Morales’ resignation the result of a “coup” — one they roundly denounced.

“The Government of Nicaragua … denounces and strongly condemns the coup d’etat that was realized today,” the statement said.

“We express our rejection and repudiation of fascist practices that ignore the constitution, laws and institutionalism that govern the democratic life of nations.”

Chile

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry on Sunday, Chile’s government expressed concerns about Bolivia’s interrupted electoral process. Chile called for a peaceful and swift solution.

About Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country of around 11 million people in South America, sharing borders with Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile.